CITY OF ANAHEIM PUTS OUT THE WELCOME MAT FOR CRAFT BEER AND MICROBREWERIES; CUTS MORE RED TAPE

ANAHEIM, Calif. (February 28, 2014) Already known for its commitment to freedom and limited government, Anaheim took another step this week to make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business in the city.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, acting on the recommendation of the Mayor’s Regulatory Relief Task Force, the City Council unanimously voted to eliminate the requirement to obtain a conditional use permit in current commercial and industrial zone properties for small business owners opening a craft brewery or microbrewery. Continue reading→

SANTA ANA – A drug supplier will face trial today for the special circumstances kidnapping and shooting-murder following a drug deal where his drugs were stolen. Jose Felix Zepeda, 41, Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of a robbery, one felony count of kidnapping for ransom, reward, extortion, and to exact from another person money and other valuable things, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime with a sentencing enhancement for possession of a substance to distribute exceeding one kilogram. If convicted, Zepeda faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are scheduled to begin this morning, Feb. 27, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. in Department C-28, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Fines will be assessed for substandard living conditions, and Safe Home Certificates will be given to property owners who comply with defined living standards.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (February 27, 2014) The City of Anaheim is taking a firm stance to ensure quality rental housing is made available for all residents living in Anaheim.

At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, the City Council members voted unanimously to introduce measures to ensure safe, clean living conditions exist citywide. The Council approved an Ordinance adopting the Quality Rental Housing Program, and approved a resolution adopting a schedule of civil fines for the issuance of civil citations to be added to the Anaheim Municipal Code. Continue reading→

FLEEING DRUNKEN PAROLEE CONVICTED OF MURDERING INNOCENT DRIVER AND INJURING TWO WHILE RECKLESSLY EVADING POLICE IN HIS TRUCK

WESTMINSTER – A fleeing parolee driving under the influence of alcohol was convicted today of killing an innocent driver and causing great bodily injury to two people while recklessly running from the police. Oscar Javier de la Torre Villalobos, 27, Menifee, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count each of second degree murder, driving under the influence and causing bodily injury, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of over .08 percent causing bodily injury, and evading the police while driving recklessly and causing serious bodily injury and death. The sentencing enhancement allegations for personally inflicting great bodily injury on non-accomplice victims, driving with a blood alcohol content over .20 percent, and two prior prison convictions of possessing a firearm as a felon and felony domestic violence were found true. He faces a maximum sentence of 21 years and four months to life in state prison at his sentencing May 2, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in Department W-9, West Justice Center, Westminster. Continue reading→

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of attempted pandering after communicating with an undercover officer, whom he believed to be a prostitute. Frankie Lee Brown, 30, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of attempted pandering by promise, threat, or violence to become a prostitute, and sentencing enhancements for a strike prior and a prison prior for residential burglary in 2009. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison at his sentencing April 25, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

ANAHEIM, CA – (February 26, 2014) – With heavy rains expected later tonight and on through Sunday, the City of Anaheim would like to remind residents and businesses that free, unfilled sandbags are available for pickup with identification.

Orange County Residents to Receive Wheelchairs on International Wheelchair Day

WHAT: In honor of International Wheelchair Day, UnitedHealthcare will donate 10 wheelchairs to the Lestonnac Free Clinic. Lestonnac Free Clinic is a volunteer-run organization working with local physicians and hospitals to meet the needs of low- and no-income families of Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. In the last three years, the Lestonnac Free clinics in Orange, Yorba Linda, Los Alamitos, Artesia, Compton, and Riverside have treated nearly 20,000 patients. Continue reading→

SIMON MALLS BRING BOOKS TO LIFE THROUGH SIMON KIDGITS CLUB BOOK BLAST EVENT AT BREA MALL

Children and Parents can make Reading a Social Experience with Special In-Mall Activities

BREA, Calif. (February 20, 2014) — Simon Malls® are welcoming families to experience the magic of reading at the mall. On Saturday, March 8,Simon Kidgits Club® at Brea Mall is hosting its free annual Book Blast event and inviting parents and children to bring books to life through special read-aloud sessions, giveaways and story-inspired activities.

Simon Kidgits Club’s Book Blast will provide families the chance to make reading a fun, social experience with various kid-focused offerings. Book Blast event activities will kick off with an exciting read-aloud session presented by a surprise guest from the community scheduled from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Center Court. Children are also invited to bring a new or gently used book to the event to be donated to a local library, helping families give back to their own communities. There will be crafts, activities, and a guest appearance from Curious George to get children excited about reading. Continue reading→

ANAHEIM TO PLACE AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S CHARTER ON UPCOMING JUNE ELECTION

ANAHEIM, Calif. (February 21, 2014) At the February 18 Council meeting the City Council moved to place three measures on the ballot for the upcoming special municipal election, to be held on June 3, 2014.

A total of 22 proposed amendments were presented to the City Council by the seven-member Charter Review Committee, which spent seven months reviewing each article and section of the City’s Charter in a series of public meetings. There are 18 proposed Charter amendments relating to modernizing and updating the Charter to align with current policies and processes, and these proposed amendments will be grouped as one ballot measure, which include: distribution of financial documents in electronic format, allowing the City Manager’s compensation to be set by agreement, and for the City Council to authorize the Finance Director and City Treasurer position to be held by the same person. The amendments relating to changing the Mayor’s term from four years to two years will be placed as a separate measure for voter consideration. Continue reading→

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed four cases of measles in Orange County in the last seven weeks, which is consistent with an increase seen throughout California. These cases raise the possibility that Orange County residents may be exposed to measles. The most recent case spent time in public locations in Orange County while contagious. Continue reading→